The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-12
OBITUARY
William Bacon Stevens, Bishop of the Epis-
copal Diocese of Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA, June IL - William Bacon
Stevens. d. D.. LII. D., Bishop of the Diocese of
Pennsylvania, of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, died at his residence 1888 Spruce street,
this morning He hae been in feeble health for
some years past. but his trouble did not assume
a fserious aspect until a week ago. Within
the past few days strong hopes were entertained
of his recovery. but last night he began to sink,
and it became evident that his death was but q
question of short time. The final dissolution
came at ten minutes past o'clock this morning.
Bishop Stevens born in Bath, Me-, July
Is, 1915, but his parents moving to Boston while
he was an infant. he became to all intents and
purposes Boston boy" After leaving the
Boston High-school he fitted for college at Phil
lips Academy. Andoyer, but his collegiate course
was interrupted by longcontinued Illness dur
ing which more than two years were spent in
various voyages for the recovery of his health
By these voyages he circumnavigated the globe.
Within two years after his return he graduated
NJ. D. at Dartmouth College and received
the same degree from the Medical Col
Iege of South Carolina where he had also
studied. Entering upon the practice of medi
cine in Savannah, Ga, lie soon had good posi-
ton and practice, and received several medical
official appointments such as physician and sur
geon to some public institutions, health officer
of the port and city, secretary of the Georgia
Medical Society, etc. In 1910 he was the dele
gate from Georgia to the medical convention in
Washington, d. c., which formed the United
States Pharnacopoea Of that year, and was one
of the committee in preparing it, in company
with such men as Dr. George B. Wood, DIR,
Franklin Bache DIR. Joseph Carson etc
When the health of Bishop Stevens became
fully established his first love for the ministry
returned, ana. in opposition to the wishes of
many cherished friends, be gave up his profess
sion and began course OF studies for the sacred
Office He studied under the then bishop of
Georgia. Stephen Elliott, and was by him or
6aip aH oh in ric
Savannah. He at once went to Athens. the seat
of the University OF Georgia. and there began
mission which resulted in the establishment of
Emmanuel Church in that place. The
next year he was advanced to the priest
hood, and also elected professor of
bellies lettres and moral philosophy in the uni
versity and entered upon his duties. In I847 he
a clerical deputy from the diocese of Georgia
to the general convention in New York. In 1848
he accepted the rectorship of St Andrews,
Philadelphia In 1857 he made tour through
Europe. Egypt. Syria and Asia Minor In 1861
he was elected assistant to Bishop Potter in the
diocese Of Pennsylvania, and in 1865, on the
death of the Bishop, he became bishop of the
whole State of Pennsylvania.
AT the close of that year the Western portion
OF Pennsylvania was erected into a new diocese
tho diocese of Plttsburg-and the Rev. DIR.
Kerfoot was chosen it's first bishop. On the day
before his conservation at Pittsburg, whittier he
had gone to take part in the services. Bishop
ness. and it was fifteen months before he
able to resume work In the meantime he was
ordered abroad, and spent the most of two
winters in the south of France and Italy.
In 1871 Bishop Stevenss diocese again
divided and the central part of Pennsylvania
was set off the diocese of Central Pennsyl-
vania and the Rev. DR.. Howe was chosen its
first bishop. That year he went again to Europe.
in discharge of his duty as bishop in charge of
the foreign congregations il communion with
the Episcopal Church on the continent. Office
and jurisdiction which he held for six years
and then resigned. In 1878 he was member of
the Pan Apglcan Council of all the bishops of
the Anglican communion. held at the palace at
Lambeth, London, under the presidency of the
Archbishop Of Canterbury. The opening serv-
ice of this Lambeth conference was delivered
by the Archbishop of York. and the closing
sermon (by election) preached by Bishop
Stevens in st. Pauls Cathedral, London. July
81, 1878.
While in Georgia he WAS one of the three orig
inal founders of the Historical Society of that
State and edited two volumes of it's transactions.
He also wrote a history of Georgia, In two vol
umes, Svo, and has since published a number of
other books, besides many special sermons.
Bishop Stevens had been married twice. His
first wife was Miss Coppee. of South Carolina;
his second was Miss Conyngham. a daughter of
the late Judge Conyngham, of Wiikesbarre. He
was an able and eloquent preacher, was we'll
known as popular and instructive writer. and
was held IN high regard by the Christian COM
munity. By his exemplary life, excellent spirit
and commepdable zeal his influence for good was
vast and varied.